The Guardian - Cryptic crossword No 26,384 - Oct 7 2014

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Clues Answers
12 24 across, one preparing a feast fit for a conqueror? NORMANCOOK
3 as absorbed by happiness JOWHILEY
3 can strip JOHNPEEL
3 carves his initial in nonsensical scrawling CHRIS
3 — eating nothing, it's my flab that's surprising? FATBOY
500 minute laps? Time must come off for motor race INDY
A number of owls climbing post to access the chick feeder? PARLIAMENT
Allied forces primarily failing to catch terrorist leader, cursed ILLFATED
Backing singer Jones has personal musical style MOTOWN
Beach welcoming first of lovelies, the ultimate in Prince Harry's group BLONDIE
Bird going after runner, hit player DEEJAY
Country sign bearing direction that avoids the centre LESOTHO
Dog that's nosy, just inquisitive, heads after bottom BASENJI
Extremes in heavy drinker, overpowering even, producing gas HYDROGEN
Clues Answers
Heavyweight punching wizard right here, right now! ATONCE
Hopeless cause, with investment of unspecified figure, is normal practice USANCE
Kiss record flipped over in the middle SNOG
Mole yet to negotiate with Mubarak BEAUTYMARK
Nation first to tag bird among feathers round neck BOTSWANA
Paul a crackhead, Paul high — I'll put my hands up MEACULPA
See 12 SLIM
See 25 EVANS
Though future perhaps healthy, given drug? Lozenge required PASTILLE
Topless Europeans in the distance, Italian of sorts MILANESE
Winter weather, possibly lasting for 3 JANICELONG
Wise man with two degrees taking in the Kentucky Derby, perhaps? MAHATMA
Witness of crimes, Pythagoras ESPY
Write up a novel, then fashion the subject of a comic opera MIKADO